When a food dish has a city in its name, it seems perfect for a diner to try that dish for the first time in its namesake city. That’s exactly how we experienced Nashville Hot Chicken.

History tells us the story that Nashvillian Thorton Prince was what you would call a ladies man. Well, one night he came home from a night out on the town with the scent and lipstick of a woman on him. That didn’t make his significant other too happy, so she concocted a spicy chicken to punish him. Her plan, as the story goes, backfired, and Prince used the recipe to open a restaurant and serve up the hot chicken to others. Prince’s Hot Chicken was born.

Nearly a century later, the people of Nashville continue to eat up the hot chicken, and “Nashville Hot Chicken” is served far and wide, heralding the city’s name.

There are many options for sampling hot chicken in Nashville, Tenn. Most local restaurants offer a variation of the dish on their menu. But after researching the city’s foodie spots, I decided we should try the place credited with starting the hot chicken craze.

Prince’s offers a lengthy scale of “hot” options for its chicken. You can start with mild and increase many sweat-inducing levels beyond. Not connoisseurs of spicy food, Molly and I tested out the mild chicken tenders on our visit. It was a wise choice, as the so-called “mild” still seared a few tastebuds while popping a few beads of sweat on our skin.

Despite our struggles with the heat, the chicken was delicious, perfectly tender and juicy on the inside, crunchy and sauced to perfection on the outside. And we enjoyed the presentation of the tenders per the custom of Nashville Hot Chicken – on top of white bread and topped with pickles.

In addition to our chicken, we enjoyed a side of fries (recommended to help curb the heat sensation) and a cup of baked beans, some of the best beans we’ve eaten anywhere due to their sweet and smoky mix.

Nashville natives are the experts, but we suggest you start with mild to test the spiciness first, and we suggest you steer away from carbonated beverages with your hot chicken. Molly loves Coke, but we opted for sweet tea at Prince’s.

It’s too bad Thorton Prince is known for his unfaithfulness, but Nashville and foodies everywhere have him to thank for the legendary flavor of his hot chicken.

 

Prince’s Hot Chicken

123 Ewing Drive #3 or 5814 Nolensville Road Suite 110, Nashville, Tenn.

Princeshotchicken.com